“Nothing beyond leaves. I fear they may be dying. And I haven’t the foggiest idea what to do.” Griffin’s fingers tightened on his glass. “I’m trained to lead men into battle, not manage land and livestock.”
“Not to mention make wine, which is another enterprise entirely.” Tristan sipped thoughtfully. “With more than thirteen thousand acres, a good percentage of that productive, you cannot stand to lose the vineyard? This is your emergency?”
Griffin colored. “I apologize if my letter made it sound dire. But…this was Charles’s pet project. He invested a fair amount of funds, and I wish to make a success of it.” After hesitating a moment, he met Tristan’s eyes. “I hate to think I might fail where my brother would have succeeded. I’m not comfortable with these responsibilities—they were meant to be his, and I wasn’t raised to the task. But I mean to make the best of it.”
The admission sounded pained, but Tristan could sympathize. He didn’t imagine that military officers sat around at night baring their souls. And as for himself, it had been a long time since he’d had anyone to confide in.
“I understand,” he said. He hadn’t been raised with expectations of inheriting a title, either. Quite the contrary, he’d been born the son of a second son, a mere mister who’d attended the right schools only on the largesse of his uncle. “I’m trying to make the best of my life, too.”
Griffin nodded, looking uneasy.
These days, most everyone was uneasy around Tristan.
“Shall I have a look at your vineyard?” He drained his glass, set it down, and began to rise.
“It will have to wait until tomorrow.” Waving him back down, Griffin refilled their glasses. “It’s a good hour each way by horseback, and I’m expecting another caller shortly. A very acceptable suitor for Alexandra’s hand.”
Alexandra. Tristan pictured long dark curls and innocent young eyes. He wondered how she’d look all grown up.
He wondered if she’d have the same effect on him she used to.
“We’ll ride over in the morning,” Griffin added. “You’ll stay, won’t you? At least long enough to evaluate the situation?”
“I’ll stay as long as I’m needed.” Though Griffin’s problem wasn’t as pressing as Tristan had imagined, it had been a long time since he’d felt needed.
And a long time since he’d seen Lady Alexandra Chase.
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ABOUT LAUREN ROYAL
I decided to become a writer in the third grade (or, as my Canadian friends call it, grade three), after winning a “Why My Mother is the Greatest” essay contest and having my entry published in a major newspaper. Seeing my words in print was a thrill! But everyone told me it's too hard for novelists to get published, so after college I spent fourteen years as the CEO of my own jewelry store chain before writing my first book. A mistake? Maybe…but my first heroine, Amethyst, was a jeweler, so at least I took advantage of that wise old saying, “Write what you know.” And I learned a good lesson: Don't let other people tell you what you can or can't do!
I write humorous historical romance mostly set in England and Scotland in the 17th and 19th centuries (Restoration and Regency periods). I've been oh-so-lucky to see my books hit bestseller lists all over the world, including the New York Times and USA Today lists, making this second career a real dream come true. I live in Southern California with my family and our constantly shedding cat, and I still think my mother is the greatest!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My heartfelt thanks:
To Devon Royal, for moral support, fantastic editing, doing stuff for me so I can write, and being the best daughter in the world.
To my BFF, author Glynnis Campbell, for letting me drag her on a cruise to get this book written.
To Jack, Brent, and Blake, for putting up with me being on deadline.
And to all of my readers, for patiently waiting for this story.
Thank you, one and all!
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A SECRET CHRISTMAS by Lauren Royal
Published by Novelty Books, a division of Novelty Publishers, LLC
205 Avenida Del Mar #275, San Clemente, CA 92674
COPYRIGHT © Lauren Royal 2016
ISBN-10: 1-63469-080-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-63469-080-5
3rd Edition, January 2018
Cover by Kimberly Killion
Book Design by Typesetter For Mac
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Learn more about the author and her books at LaurenRoyal.com.